Saturday, March 24, 2012
F and A GH
So I'm thinking about sending Hugh Jackman the first part of my book (once it's finished, that is.) And seeing what he thinks (while getting an autograph of course) ;)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Feathers and a Golden Heart
I think that might be the title of this new book I'm starting. (I know, I tend to start books and not finish them >.< ) But I hope this time can be different because this book's about a mutant who's in love with this girl he's known since he was little. >.< So cute. Or should it be that he's known her in highschool and she was sort of his friends, but since her parents died, they stopped talking to each other???????????? I think I like the childhood idea better. :)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Blithe (my fantasy story) :)
Prologue
In the beautiful land of Blithe, the King and Queen were gracious and accommodating, the prince and princess were kind and courteous, the knights brave, the noblemen and women smart, and the farmers pleasant and fair. As wonderful a place Blithe was, its name meaning merry and cheerful, they were not without their troubles. For many a year King Henry and his country had been at war with Chinyere, the country across the sea. Chinyere’s King Rupert was Henry’s own brother, his wicked brother who saw evil in everything. He used the magic that he had at his disposal for creating mayhem and mischief. King Henry himself had a soothsayer, but used her only as a counsel for war and for helping his people with illnesses.
When his son was born, King Henry had been at war with King Rupert for a year, but Henry would not let the devastation of war ruin his son’s childhood. Even though he was away from home often, Henry was still able be the father figure his son needed.
Queen Sophie was a wonderful mother. She would spend her whole day with Prince John, feeding him, playing with him, reading to him. She would accept the help of nurses, of course, for she had royal matters to attend to, but whenever she had a spare moment, to John’s nursery she would go.
For five years John’s safety and happiness was what the kingdom revolved around, besides the ever pressing war. But John was not spoiled. On the contrary, his mother and father made sure that when he misbehaved he was punished accordingly. They did not want their son to become corrupt and inconsistent.
When John was five years and three months of age, his mother gave birth to a baby girl. They named her Poppy, after Queen Sophie’s favorite flower. She was a beautiful baby girl with a very sunny disposition. She almost never cried and she adored her elder brother. She would follow him around everywhere once she learned how to walk. John was a great influence over Poppy. He taught her how to read and write, even though there were tutors to do that. Their mother believed that John teaching Sophie what he already knew would strengthen their bond as brother and sister. That is not to say that the children did not have a tutor, they both had three and they had the best education in the kingdom.
By the time John was ten he could read, write, and speak Latin, Spanish, and English. John and Poppy both began to read at the early age of three. As they grew, their separate, but equally amiable, personalities began to develop.
John became more handsome every day. His brown hair and blue eyes made him a heart throb for all the girls. He was very smart, athletic, funny, kind, and respectable. He enjoyed jousting, studying, writing, and playing the lute.
When his son was born, King Henry had been at war with King Rupert for a year, but Henry would not let the devastation of war ruin his son’s childhood. Even though he was away from home often, Henry was still able be the father figure his son needed.
Queen Sophie was a wonderful mother. She would spend her whole day with Prince John, feeding him, playing with him, reading to him. She would accept the help of nurses, of course, for she had royal matters to attend to, but whenever she had a spare moment, to John’s nursery she would go.
For five years John’s safety and happiness was what the kingdom revolved around, besides the ever pressing war. But John was not spoiled. On the contrary, his mother and father made sure that when he misbehaved he was punished accordingly. They did not want their son to become corrupt and inconsistent.
When John was five years and three months of age, his mother gave birth to a baby girl. They named her Poppy, after Queen Sophie’s favorite flower. She was a beautiful baby girl with a very sunny disposition. She almost never cried and she adored her elder brother. She would follow him around everywhere once she learned how to walk. John was a great influence over Poppy. He taught her how to read and write, even though there were tutors to do that. Their mother believed that John teaching Sophie what he already knew would strengthen their bond as brother and sister. That is not to say that the children did not have a tutor, they both had three and they had the best education in the kingdom.
By the time John was ten he could read, write, and speak Latin, Spanish, and English. John and Poppy both began to read at the early age of three. As they grew, their separate, but equally amiable, personalities began to develop.
John became more handsome every day. His brown hair and blue eyes made him a heart throb for all the girls. He was very smart, athletic, funny, kind, and respectable. He enjoyed jousting, studying, writing, and playing the lute.
Poppy was a very unique girl. Her fiery red hair and big blue eyes gave her the impression of a wild child, and she could be. But more often than not, Poppy was well behaved, but she did have very strong opinions that no one could make her change her mind about. She had a strong sense of right and wrong and many said she would never become corrupt, a very important quality for a princess. Poppy loved animals and had many beautiful horses along with a darling little beagle named Lucy.
Poppy rode her horse Jane everyday and sometimes John would join her on his own horse, Marmey. She would ride through the forest by the castle and about once a week she would travel for the day down to the lake, which was about a three hour trip from the castle, to the house where the soothsayer lived.
Poppy and the soothsayer, Grace, were very close friends. Grace was an elderly woman who was wise in all things, like most soothsayers. Poppy would tell Grace her problems and Grace would give her advice or medicine for the occasional skin blemishes. They grew very close together, but Grace was old and Poppy dreaded the day that she would have to leave.
Besides riding her horses and visiting Grace, everyday Poppy would visit the Royal Garden and study the plants. Everyone knew she had a green thumb, so when she was eight, her parents made the Royal Garden specifically for her use. Poppy loved the plant after which she was named most of all and she would conduct experiments in which she would try to cross breed different colors of Poppies. She had success a few times and produced a purple colored poppy, exciting the whole kingdom. She shared her secret with all the gardeners throughout Blithe and soon all the gardens were filled with purple poppies.
Everyone loved Poppy and was smitten with her passionate nature and motherly kindness. The princess and John were inseparable throughout their childhood and only when they became adolescents did they start to do their own things on their own.
Poppy rode her horse Jane everyday and sometimes John would join her on his own horse, Marmey. She would ride through the forest by the castle and about once a week she would travel for the day down to the lake, which was about a three hour trip from the castle, to the house where the soothsayer lived.
Poppy and the soothsayer, Grace, were very close friends. Grace was an elderly woman who was wise in all things, like most soothsayers. Poppy would tell Grace her problems and Grace would give her advice or medicine for the occasional skin blemishes. They grew very close together, but Grace was old and Poppy dreaded the day that she would have to leave.
Besides riding her horses and visiting Grace, everyday Poppy would visit the Royal Garden and study the plants. Everyone knew she had a green thumb, so when she was eight, her parents made the Royal Garden specifically for her use. Poppy loved the plant after which she was named most of all and she would conduct experiments in which she would try to cross breed different colors of Poppies. She had success a few times and produced a purple colored poppy, exciting the whole kingdom. She shared her secret with all the gardeners throughout Blithe and soon all the gardens were filled with purple poppies.
Everyone loved Poppy and was smitten with her passionate nature and motherly kindness. The princess and John were inseparable throughout their childhood and only when they became adolescents did they start to do their own things on their own.
One day while Poppy was riding through the forest, searching for new types of plants to grow, she came across a boy caked in mud and matted with blood lying on the forest floor seemingly unconscious. Poppy leapt off her horse quickly and ran over to the boy, frightened yet determined to help him. She knelt down on the ground to check his wounds, of which there were many, and discovered that he had a very deep wound on his shoulder, what seemed to be a grotesque bite mark, and much of the flesh was missing.
As disturbed and frightened as she was, Poppy knew that she had to take the boy back to the castle: the boy’s life depended on it. She dragged the boy’s unconscious body toward her horse and commanded it to kneel. Once the horse obliged, Poppy heaved the body across the leather saddle, made room for herself, and mounted her horse once it regained its footing. The trip back to the castle took only a few minutes, they were riding so fast. The castle lay a good three miles from the forest, but the need for haste was pressing, and Poppy’s horse, rode ever so quickly.
When arriving at the drawbridge to the castle Poppy took it upon herself to announce her arrival and her need for help. “Princess Poppy arrives with a wounded citizen who is in need of medical attention.” Almost immediately, knights and Poppy’s ladies-in-waiting came rushing out of the castle.
The knights gingerly lifted the boy from the saddle and the ladies-in-waiting tried to lead Poppy back to her room. “I want to stay with the boy. I want to know how badly he is wounded.” Brushing off her maids, Poppy followed the knights that were now taking the boy up the stairs that led to the west wing.
The west wing was a wing entirely dedicated to medicine, doctors, and nurses. Poppy’s father felt it necessary to take extra precautions towards the people’s health since John and Poppy were born. The three knights that had come to take the boy were now gently lowering him onto a white cot-one of many- in the sterile white room. Once they had done this, a tall stocky man wearing white trousers, a white shirt, and carrying a bulky brown bag walked over to the cot and dismissed the knights, thanking them for their service.
“Where did you find this boy, your majesty?” The doctor questioned Poppy looking at her intently.
“In the forest by the castle, doctor. He was unconscious when I found him. Will he be alright?”
The doctor prodded the boy’s skin in several places lightly, took out a magnifying glass and checked his shoulder wound, and listened to his heart. “It’s hard to say. If he does live, it will take him at least a month to fully heal.”
“Thank you doctor. I will speak to my father about the boy, but I will be back to check on him. Please give him your full attention.” Poppy bowed slightly to the man and took her leave.
As disturbed and frightened as she was, Poppy knew that she had to take the boy back to the castle: the boy’s life depended on it. She dragged the boy’s unconscious body toward her horse and commanded it to kneel. Once the horse obliged, Poppy heaved the body across the leather saddle, made room for herself, and mounted her horse once it regained its footing. The trip back to the castle took only a few minutes, they were riding so fast. The castle lay a good three miles from the forest, but the need for haste was pressing, and Poppy’s horse, rode ever so quickly.
When arriving at the drawbridge to the castle Poppy took it upon herself to announce her arrival and her need for help. “Princess Poppy arrives with a wounded citizen who is in need of medical attention.” Almost immediately, knights and Poppy’s ladies-in-waiting came rushing out of the castle.
The knights gingerly lifted the boy from the saddle and the ladies-in-waiting tried to lead Poppy back to her room. “I want to stay with the boy. I want to know how badly he is wounded.” Brushing off her maids, Poppy followed the knights that were now taking the boy up the stairs that led to the west wing.
The west wing was a wing entirely dedicated to medicine, doctors, and nurses. Poppy’s father felt it necessary to take extra precautions towards the people’s health since John and Poppy were born. The three knights that had come to take the boy were now gently lowering him onto a white cot-one of many- in the sterile white room. Once they had done this, a tall stocky man wearing white trousers, a white shirt, and carrying a bulky brown bag walked over to the cot and dismissed the knights, thanking them for their service.
“Where did you find this boy, your majesty?” The doctor questioned Poppy looking at her intently.
“In the forest by the castle, doctor. He was unconscious when I found him. Will he be alright?”
The doctor prodded the boy’s skin in several places lightly, took out a magnifying glass and checked his shoulder wound, and listened to his heart. “It’s hard to say. If he does live, it will take him at least a month to fully heal.”
“Thank you doctor. I will speak to my father about the boy, but I will be back to check on him. Please give him your full attention.” Poppy bowed slightly to the man and took her leave.
Poppy walked down the tapestry covered corridors to the throne room alone, practicing what she was going to say to her father. King Henry had been very busy lately with matters of the war with his brother so Poppy could not waste his time by beating around the bush.
“I am going to ask father straight forward what is to become of the boy and if I can look after him.” Poppy had a great sense of maternal care and she felt it her duty to look after the boy because she had found him. “I wonder where he came from and what his name is. What could his living be?”
“Hello dear sister. Talking to yourself again, are you?” Prince John had come up behind Poppy quietly and was now looking at her with a teasing smile.
“Why John, you frightened me.” Poppy turned to look at her blue eyed brother and playfully ruffled his hair, standing on her tiptoes to do so.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. How are you? I heard about you finding that boy in the forest and I was greatly troubled.”
“Why? I am fine. I wish I could say so for the boy, though. It looked like he was fatally wounded, but the doctor has some hope of his recovery.” Poppy looked at her brother in earnest, silently pleading for him to reassure her of the boy’s safety.
“Poppy. I am sure that Doctor Smithson will be able to revive him, it will be alright.” He laid a hand on her cheek to calm her fears. “Is that what you were going to see father about? To see what is going to happen to the lad?”
“It seems your mind reading abilities rival Grace’s. Yes I confess that is precisely the reason I’m going to see our father. We don’t even know where he came from, so we cannot possibly make a decision about it until he is conscious.”
“How smart you have become. Yes, I see that that is the truth of the matter. Would you like me to come with you, sister?”
Poppy thought about the offer of help for a minute and decided she must appeal to her father alone, “No thank you, brother. But I shall come to tell you what the outcome is if you wish.”
“I would like that very much. Good luck.” With that, John hugged and kissed his sister on the forehead then departed, going, no doubt, to a jousting tournament.
Poppy took a deep breath to ease the tension on her shoulders and pushed open the carved oak doors that led to the War Room. The sight that met her eyes was an unsettling one. King Henry was at an immense square table that had a large map of Blithe and Chinyere on it with figures that he moved around with a worried look etched across his face. Many nobleman and knights surrounded the table talking all at once, gesturing towards the map obviously trying to be heard by the King. Poppy’s father lifted his head and when he saw her, he smiled wearily, gesturing for her to come to him.
“Please excuse my daughter and myself for a time, gentlemen.” The knights and nobleman walked swiftly out of the room, bowing before Poppy as they did so.
“Hello dearest father.” Poppy said, walking up to her father to embrace him. “How is the war coming along? Are things still the same between you and Uncle?” Poppy knew the answer before she even asked.
Her father sighed heavily and scratched his red beard thoughtfully. “Your Uncle decided to wage a battle against us early this month. It seems that I won’t be here for your fourteenth birthday Poppy. I am very sorry my dear.”
“Father, my birthday is a simple matter in this time of war. Do not give your absence a second thought.” Poppy brushed her fiery red hair from her eyes in frustration. How could her father even bother to trouble with a birthday celebration if a battle has been proclaimed? “Please just cancel the celebration father. There’s no need to have it. Besides,” she stalled, “there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.” This change in subject had her father’s attention.
“What is it?” The king turned to face her.
“Well today in the forest I found a boy and…” Her father held up his hand to stop her.
“I have heard about it. I am glad to know that you are alright.”
“Thank you, Father. But I was wondering what is going to happen to him once he heals and if I could watch over him?” Poppy wrung her hands together anxiously.
“Dearest, I don’t think it would be appropriate for you to watch after him. We have doctors for that.”
“But I rescued him, father. I feel it is my responsibility to look after him. Please let me do this. I will do whatever the doctors tell me to do. Consider it your birthday present to me.”
“If it means that much to you, I suppose you can. As for what is going to happen to him, once he regains consciousness, we will find out what his living was and return him there. No one has come to us about a missing boy so he must have been living alone.”
“Or he might not be from here, father. What if he came from Chinyere? Will you send him back?”
“I do not think I will. My brother’s reign over that country is a cruel one and if that boy is from there, he was no doubt trying to escape from it.”
“You are very wise father and I thank you for allowing me to care for the boy.” Poppy bowed to her father and kissed his hand
“Please let me know when things get better my dear. And your mother wants to see you.”
“Did she say what about?” Poppy asked, smoothing out her dress.
“She did not, but I have a feeling it is about the party.” The king waved goodbye to his daughter and went back to pouring over the map.
“I am going to ask father straight forward what is to become of the boy and if I can look after him.” Poppy had a great sense of maternal care and she felt it her duty to look after the boy because she had found him. “I wonder where he came from and what his name is. What could his living be?”
“Hello dear sister. Talking to yourself again, are you?” Prince John had come up behind Poppy quietly and was now looking at her with a teasing smile.
“Why John, you frightened me.” Poppy turned to look at her blue eyed brother and playfully ruffled his hair, standing on her tiptoes to do so.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. How are you? I heard about you finding that boy in the forest and I was greatly troubled.”
“Why? I am fine. I wish I could say so for the boy, though. It looked like he was fatally wounded, but the doctor has some hope of his recovery.” Poppy looked at her brother in earnest, silently pleading for him to reassure her of the boy’s safety.
“Poppy. I am sure that Doctor Smithson will be able to revive him, it will be alright.” He laid a hand on her cheek to calm her fears. “Is that what you were going to see father about? To see what is going to happen to the lad?”
“It seems your mind reading abilities rival Grace’s. Yes I confess that is precisely the reason I’m going to see our father. We don’t even know where he came from, so we cannot possibly make a decision about it until he is conscious.”
“How smart you have become. Yes, I see that that is the truth of the matter. Would you like me to come with you, sister?”
Poppy thought about the offer of help for a minute and decided she must appeal to her father alone, “No thank you, brother. But I shall come to tell you what the outcome is if you wish.”
“I would like that very much. Good luck.” With that, John hugged and kissed his sister on the forehead then departed, going, no doubt, to a jousting tournament.
Poppy took a deep breath to ease the tension on her shoulders and pushed open the carved oak doors that led to the War Room. The sight that met her eyes was an unsettling one. King Henry was at an immense square table that had a large map of Blithe and Chinyere on it with figures that he moved around with a worried look etched across his face. Many nobleman and knights surrounded the table talking all at once, gesturing towards the map obviously trying to be heard by the King. Poppy’s father lifted his head and when he saw her, he smiled wearily, gesturing for her to come to him.
“Please excuse my daughter and myself for a time, gentlemen.” The knights and nobleman walked swiftly out of the room, bowing before Poppy as they did so.
“Hello dearest father.” Poppy said, walking up to her father to embrace him. “How is the war coming along? Are things still the same between you and Uncle?” Poppy knew the answer before she even asked.
Her father sighed heavily and scratched his red beard thoughtfully. “Your Uncle decided to wage a battle against us early this month. It seems that I won’t be here for your fourteenth birthday Poppy. I am very sorry my dear.”
“Father, my birthday is a simple matter in this time of war. Do not give your absence a second thought.” Poppy brushed her fiery red hair from her eyes in frustration. How could her father even bother to trouble with a birthday celebration if a battle has been proclaimed? “Please just cancel the celebration father. There’s no need to have it. Besides,” she stalled, “there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.” This change in subject had her father’s attention.
“What is it?” The king turned to face her.
“Well today in the forest I found a boy and…” Her father held up his hand to stop her.
“I have heard about it. I am glad to know that you are alright.”
“Thank you, Father. But I was wondering what is going to happen to him once he heals and if I could watch over him?” Poppy wrung her hands together anxiously.
“Dearest, I don’t think it would be appropriate for you to watch after him. We have doctors for that.”
“But I rescued him, father. I feel it is my responsibility to look after him. Please let me do this. I will do whatever the doctors tell me to do. Consider it your birthday present to me.”
“If it means that much to you, I suppose you can. As for what is going to happen to him, once he regains consciousness, we will find out what his living was and return him there. No one has come to us about a missing boy so he must have been living alone.”
“Or he might not be from here, father. What if he came from Chinyere? Will you send him back?”
“I do not think I will. My brother’s reign over that country is a cruel one and if that boy is from there, he was no doubt trying to escape from it.”
“You are very wise father and I thank you for allowing me to care for the boy.” Poppy bowed to her father and kissed his hand
“Please let me know when things get better my dear. And your mother wants to see you.”
“Did she say what about?” Poppy asked, smoothing out her dress.
“She did not, but I have a feeling it is about the party.” The king waved goodbye to his daughter and went back to pouring over the map.
**************************************************************************
For the second time that day, Poppy walked down the colorful corridors alone, glad that her ladies-in-waiting were not with her. She was overjoyed that she could watch over the boy, but sad that her Uncle had waged a battle against the kingdom. Even though she would miss her father greatly, she was glad to have been able to say that his absence from her birthday celebration would be alright with her.
What could the Queen have to say to her? Most of the details for the party had already been settled, so what could her presence be needed for? After walking for nearly ten minutes by herself in silence, Poppy came to the ornate red door that led to her mother’s favorite parlor room, the place Poppy was sure to find her.
“Poppy!” When Poppy had opened the door, Queen Sophie came rushing, her arms outstretched towards her daughter. Poppy stepped into the embrace gladly. She loved her mother dearly and always enjoyed the time they spent together. “My dear I haven’t seen you all day! I heard about the incident in the forest, are you all right?” The Queen held Poppy close to her for many seconds, preventing Poppy from answering.
When she was finally released, Poppy assured her mother that she was fine and that the boy was being taken care of. “Father said you were looking for me? Are there more details to the party that need to be addressed?” Poppy gazed about the bright room that was dazzling due to all the fabrics that had been laid out on the chairs and couches. “What’s all this for, mother?”
“We haven’t even planned the most important part of the event out!” Poppy looked at her mother questioningly. “The dress, my dear, the dress!”
“Of course mother.” In her heart, Poppy felt the whole event of her party was quite frivolous when compared to the battle that was occurring, but she held her tongue because she knew the party brought her mother joy.
The Queen brought Poppy numerous leafs of paper that displayed sketches of different designs of dresses. One in particular caught Poppy’s eye. It was gold and creamy white. The sleeves were light, lacy, and short. At the hips was a crown of gold and white lace and trailed to the ground with a sheer fabric. The design on the dress looked like billowing clouds with rays of sunshine fanning out from them.
“This one, mother. I like it very much.” Queen Sophie looked over her daughter’s shoulder at the sketch she held and nodded her approval.
“The shoes are essential to the outfit, Poppy. You want something comfortable but fashionable.” After an hour of contemplation, Poppy chose a pair of beige shoes with round buttons on the side. They were about an inch high and very sensible for a night of dancing.
“And we should have your hair in a French braid with gold barrettes, do you agree, “asked the Queen. Poppy did quite agree. The outfit was coming together nicely. She was actually somewhat happy about the upcoming gala.
“I must go now mother. I need to see how that boy is doing; Father’s given me permission to look after him.” Poppy smiled happily and left the room with her mother amidst fabric and papers, brunette hair a sweaty mess.
What could the Queen have to say to her? Most of the details for the party had already been settled, so what could her presence be needed for? After walking for nearly ten minutes by herself in silence, Poppy came to the ornate red door that led to her mother’s favorite parlor room, the place Poppy was sure to find her.
“Poppy!” When Poppy had opened the door, Queen Sophie came rushing, her arms outstretched towards her daughter. Poppy stepped into the embrace gladly. She loved her mother dearly and always enjoyed the time they spent together. “My dear I haven’t seen you all day! I heard about the incident in the forest, are you all right?” The Queen held Poppy close to her for many seconds, preventing Poppy from answering.
When she was finally released, Poppy assured her mother that she was fine and that the boy was being taken care of. “Father said you were looking for me? Are there more details to the party that need to be addressed?” Poppy gazed about the bright room that was dazzling due to all the fabrics that had been laid out on the chairs and couches. “What’s all this for, mother?”
“We haven’t even planned the most important part of the event out!” Poppy looked at her mother questioningly. “The dress, my dear, the dress!”
“Of course mother.” In her heart, Poppy felt the whole event of her party was quite frivolous when compared to the battle that was occurring, but she held her tongue because she knew the party brought her mother joy.
The Queen brought Poppy numerous leafs of paper that displayed sketches of different designs of dresses. One in particular caught Poppy’s eye. It was gold and creamy white. The sleeves were light, lacy, and short. At the hips was a crown of gold and white lace and trailed to the ground with a sheer fabric. The design on the dress looked like billowing clouds with rays of sunshine fanning out from them.
“This one, mother. I like it very much.” Queen Sophie looked over her daughter’s shoulder at the sketch she held and nodded her approval.
“The shoes are essential to the outfit, Poppy. You want something comfortable but fashionable.” After an hour of contemplation, Poppy chose a pair of beige shoes with round buttons on the side. They were about an inch high and very sensible for a night of dancing.
“And we should have your hair in a French braid with gold barrettes, do you agree, “asked the Queen. Poppy did quite agree. The outfit was coming together nicely. She was actually somewhat happy about the upcoming gala.
“I must go now mother. I need to see how that boy is doing; Father’s given me permission to look after him.” Poppy smiled happily and left the room with her mother amidst fabric and papers, brunette hair a sweaty mess.
****************************************************************************
Poppy arrived at the west wing five minutes later. She practically ran there in her excitement to see the boy again and her worry of how he was healing. When she got to the open doors of the west wing, she slowed to a walk and smoothed out her hair. While walking to the boy’s cot, she ran into Doctor Smithson.
“Good evening Your Highness,” he said, bowing to Poppy. “We have cleaned the boy up and put medicinal herbs on him. We will be able to stitch him up tomorrow.”
“Thank you very much Doctor. Has he said anything?” She was curious as to who the boy was.
“He has not. He still seems to be unconscious, but hopefully he will awake during the night or tomorrow.”
“Very good, Doctor. That will be all.” The doctor bowed low and departed, leaving the princess and the boy alone. The other patients in the wing were already asleep and the nurses were at dinner as well as the doctors.
“I wonder what your name is.” Poppy said as she sat next to the boy and brushed his hair out of his eyes. Now that he was clean, Poppy could tell that the boy had strawberry blonde curls, long eyelashes, and a defined face with high cheekbones.”Please do wake up soon, I know you can make it.” Poppy observed the boy’s wounds and cringed slightly. He had deep gashes in his side that looked like claw marks. “I wonder what did this to you.” The bite mark in his shoulder had now stopped bleeding and she could tell that the beast had gotten a good bit of his shoulder out.
As she imagined the pain he boy must be feeling, tears started the blur her eyes and she carefully placed her hand in his, hoping he could be aware of the gesture of sympathy.
As if in response to her act, the boy moaned slightly and his eyelashes fluttered. He opened his eyes slowly and his eyes took in world around him. Before him he saw a young but beautiful girl with red hair and pale blue eyes holding his hand and crying. He felt pain all over, but the mere presence of the girl dulled it.
“Where am I?” He asked hoarsely. “And why are you crying?”
“You are in the west wing of the royal castle in Blithe. I found you in the forest and brought you here.” Poppy released the boy’s hand and folded her own in her lap.
“Thank you for finding me,” the boy whispered weakly.
“Don’t give it a second thought. What is your name? I’m Poppy.” She looked into the boy’s dark green eyes, surprised at their depth.
“My name is Lancelot Robinson. I am sixteen. Are you the princess of Blithe?” Poppy nodded shyly. Lance gave a small smile. “What they say of your beauty is true.” Poppy blushed.
“Where are you from?”
“I am from Chinyere. I barely escaped the kingdom. On my way here I was attacked by a fearsome creature.” Lance closed his eyes then, breathed deeply and shuddered: reliving the experience.
“You do not know what did this to you?”
“I do not. It came from behind and attacked me quickly. I was too badly wounded to get a good look at it,” he added guiltily. “Why are you here, Princess, concerning yourself with a lowly blacksmith such as myself?”
“So that’s what it is you do. I bother because my father said I could look after you. I consider it my responsibility to take care of you since I found you. Is that all right?” Poppy swelled with pride at her success in getting facts out of Lance.
“That would be very nice, Princess.” He smiled and closed his eyes once more, drifting off to sleep.
“I hope we can become great friends, Lance, regardless of what you do.” She leaned forward and lightly kissed the boy’s forehead.
“Good evening Your Highness,” he said, bowing to Poppy. “We have cleaned the boy up and put medicinal herbs on him. We will be able to stitch him up tomorrow.”
“Thank you very much Doctor. Has he said anything?” She was curious as to who the boy was.
“He has not. He still seems to be unconscious, but hopefully he will awake during the night or tomorrow.”
“Very good, Doctor. That will be all.” The doctor bowed low and departed, leaving the princess and the boy alone. The other patients in the wing were already asleep and the nurses were at dinner as well as the doctors.
“I wonder what your name is.” Poppy said as she sat next to the boy and brushed his hair out of his eyes. Now that he was clean, Poppy could tell that the boy had strawberry blonde curls, long eyelashes, and a defined face with high cheekbones.”Please do wake up soon, I know you can make it.” Poppy observed the boy’s wounds and cringed slightly. He had deep gashes in his side that looked like claw marks. “I wonder what did this to you.” The bite mark in his shoulder had now stopped bleeding and she could tell that the beast had gotten a good bit of his shoulder out.
As she imagined the pain he boy must be feeling, tears started the blur her eyes and she carefully placed her hand in his, hoping he could be aware of the gesture of sympathy.
As if in response to her act, the boy moaned slightly and his eyelashes fluttered. He opened his eyes slowly and his eyes took in world around him. Before him he saw a young but beautiful girl with red hair and pale blue eyes holding his hand and crying. He felt pain all over, but the mere presence of the girl dulled it.
“Where am I?” He asked hoarsely. “And why are you crying?”
“You are in the west wing of the royal castle in Blithe. I found you in the forest and brought you here.” Poppy released the boy’s hand and folded her own in her lap.
“Thank you for finding me,” the boy whispered weakly.
“Don’t give it a second thought. What is your name? I’m Poppy.” She looked into the boy’s dark green eyes, surprised at their depth.
“My name is Lancelot Robinson. I am sixteen. Are you the princess of Blithe?” Poppy nodded shyly. Lance gave a small smile. “What they say of your beauty is true.” Poppy blushed.
“Where are you from?”
“I am from Chinyere. I barely escaped the kingdom. On my way here I was attacked by a fearsome creature.” Lance closed his eyes then, breathed deeply and shuddered: reliving the experience.
“You do not know what did this to you?”
“I do not. It came from behind and attacked me quickly. I was too badly wounded to get a good look at it,” he added guiltily. “Why are you here, Princess, concerning yourself with a lowly blacksmith such as myself?”
“So that’s what it is you do. I bother because my father said I could look after you. I consider it my responsibility to take care of you since I found you. Is that all right?” Poppy swelled with pride at her success in getting facts out of Lance.
“That would be very nice, Princess.” He smiled and closed his eyes once more, drifting off to sleep.
“I hope we can become great friends, Lance, regardless of what you do.” She leaned forward and lightly kissed the boy’s forehead.
*****************************************************************************
The next day, Poppy felt that she could ask Lancelot some more questions about who he was. After riding her horse with her brother and telling him what she learned of the boy, she walked with her handmaiden May to the hospital wing. She knew it was not proper for her to be alone with Lance, but she felt like she could not properly talk to him about anything with May nearby.
“Thank you May. You may leave now.” When they arrived at Lance’s cot, Poppy dismissed her maid. May bowed lowly and walked swiftly away.
Poppy had not bothered to change out of her rising clothes before visiting the blacksmith. She was still sporting her black shirt layered with lace, her black high collared vest and shirt, her stockings and boots, and her black hat and feather.
Lance could tell how much Poppy wanted to see him based on this fact and he was confused. He had the feeling that she did not like him, for they had just met, so there must be a matter of importance to discuss.
“Good morning, Your Majesty. I would bow if not for my current condition.” Lance smiled weakly.
“Good morning, Lancelot. Are you feeling any better? I see that the doctors have stitched you up.” Poppy sat down next to him and folded her hands in her lap.
“I am feeling a bit better. The doctor has ordered bed rest for me for two weeks, though.”
“Well I agree with him. You are very badly wounded. I’m surprised you are feeling any better. Would you be feeling up to telling me more about who you are?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Please don’t call me that when we’re alone Lance. Just Poppy, please”
“Okay, Poppy. I am from Chinyere, as you know, and I am a blacksmith. I live on my own with my younger sister, Lily. Our mother and father died last year. That was when I worked full time. I had been an apprentice to my father since I was twelve, so I knew the trade fairly well. Lily does clothing repairs for many people in our town, Ilingand, and it’s been enough to put food on the table. But recently our King has raised the taxes which have made it near impossible to make a living in our town. I came here to see if my sister and I could live in Blithe. I’ve heard it’s a wonderful country and even the peasants make a good living.”
“Yes, it’s true. I’m sure my father would allow you and your sister to come live here, Lance. How old is Lily?”
“She is thirteen.”
Poppy thought for a moment, for a way for Lance to stay at the castle. He was the only real friend she’d ever had. “I’ve an idea, Lance. You say you are good at your trade?”
“Yes, fairly good. I even make some swords for the knight at this castle.”
“Then it’s settled. How would you like to become a squire?” She held her breath in hopes of a positive answer.
“I don’t know, Poppy. What about Lily?”
“She can become one of my handmaidens. My eldest one, Beth, is getting married soon and that would leave me only two ladies-in-waiting. I think she would be a great lady-in-waiting. Do you think she would accept?”
“You have not even consulted the King, have you?” Lance looked skeptical.
“No. But I have a feeling that if I make taking you and your sister in sound like an investment, which it is in a way, then my father is sure to agree. How do you feel about it?”
“I think that if the King agrees, then I can hope, but not until then.”
“You’re very level headed, you know that, Lance?” Poppy laughed. She had never met anyone more against hoping than Lance.
“Yes, I’ve been told by many.”
“Well, I must see my father about this right away. Thank you for telling me everything, Lance.” They bid each other fair well, and Poppy began to walk towards the War Room, where her father was bound to be.
“Thank you May. You may leave now.” When they arrived at Lance’s cot, Poppy dismissed her maid. May bowed lowly and walked swiftly away.
Poppy had not bothered to change out of her rising clothes before visiting the blacksmith. She was still sporting her black shirt layered with lace, her black high collared vest and shirt, her stockings and boots, and her black hat and feather.
Lance could tell how much Poppy wanted to see him based on this fact and he was confused. He had the feeling that she did not like him, for they had just met, so there must be a matter of importance to discuss.
“Good morning, Your Majesty. I would bow if not for my current condition.” Lance smiled weakly.
“Good morning, Lancelot. Are you feeling any better? I see that the doctors have stitched you up.” Poppy sat down next to him and folded her hands in her lap.
“I am feeling a bit better. The doctor has ordered bed rest for me for two weeks, though.”
“Well I agree with him. You are very badly wounded. I’m surprised you are feeling any better. Would you be feeling up to telling me more about who you are?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Please don’t call me that when we’re alone Lance. Just Poppy, please”
“Okay, Poppy. I am from Chinyere, as you know, and I am a blacksmith. I live on my own with my younger sister, Lily. Our mother and father died last year. That was when I worked full time. I had been an apprentice to my father since I was twelve, so I knew the trade fairly well. Lily does clothing repairs for many people in our town, Ilingand, and it’s been enough to put food on the table. But recently our King has raised the taxes which have made it near impossible to make a living in our town. I came here to see if my sister and I could live in Blithe. I’ve heard it’s a wonderful country and even the peasants make a good living.”
“Yes, it’s true. I’m sure my father would allow you and your sister to come live here, Lance. How old is Lily?”
“She is thirteen.”
Poppy thought for a moment, for a way for Lance to stay at the castle. He was the only real friend she’d ever had. “I’ve an idea, Lance. You say you are good at your trade?”
“Yes, fairly good. I even make some swords for the knight at this castle.”
“Then it’s settled. How would you like to become a squire?” She held her breath in hopes of a positive answer.
“I don’t know, Poppy. What about Lily?”
“She can become one of my handmaidens. My eldest one, Beth, is getting married soon and that would leave me only two ladies-in-waiting. I think she would be a great lady-in-waiting. Do you think she would accept?”
“You have not even consulted the King, have you?” Lance looked skeptical.
“No. But I have a feeling that if I make taking you and your sister in sound like an investment, which it is in a way, then my father is sure to agree. How do you feel about it?”
“I think that if the King agrees, then I can hope, but not until then.”
“You’re very level headed, you know that, Lance?” Poppy laughed. She had never met anyone more against hoping than Lance.
“Yes, I’ve been told by many.”
“Well, I must see my father about this right away. Thank you for telling me everything, Lance.” They bid each other fair well, and Poppy began to walk towards the War Room, where her father was bound to be.
*************************************************************************************
“But father, you must consider what a great thing this could be. You know Beth is getting married and that I will be in need of a good hand maiden soon. And you’re always saying that we need more knights, and in a few years, Lance will become a knight.” Poppy clasped her hands in a gesture of begging and looked at her father in exasperation. “Please father, I know we are to become great friends.”
“You cannot become friends with a squire, Poppy.” The King answered angrily
“So he is to become a squire?” Poppy asked eagerly, ignoring her father’s forbidding of her friendship to Lance.
“You have made a good argument about it, dearest. And I think his sister will make a good handmaiden for you, but do not ask me for more. Do not ask for a friendship to a squire.”
Poppy’s heart sunk. She had not expected this. She wanted to be friends with Lance, to tell him her greatest secrets. But her father was right; a friendship or a close relationship of any kind to a squire would cause a scandal.
“Yes father. Thank you.” Poppy bowed lowly and slowly walked out of the room.
“I will send some knights to the village of Ilingand to pick up Lily Robinson.”
Poppy’s heart lifted a little at the thought of having Lily be her handmaiden, but it wasn’t enough to cover the hole in her heart that was the absence of true friendship.
“You cannot become friends with a squire, Poppy.” The King answered angrily
“So he is to become a squire?” Poppy asked eagerly, ignoring her father’s forbidding of her friendship to Lance.
“You have made a good argument about it, dearest. And I think his sister will make a good handmaiden for you, but do not ask me for more. Do not ask for a friendship to a squire.”
Poppy’s heart sunk. She had not expected this. She wanted to be friends with Lance, to tell him her greatest secrets. But her father was right; a friendship or a close relationship of any kind to a squire would cause a scandal.
“Yes father. Thank you.” Poppy bowed lowly and slowly walked out of the room.
“I will send some knights to the village of Ilingand to pick up Lily Robinson.”
Poppy’s heart lifted a little at the thought of having Lily be her handmaiden, but it wasn’t enough to cover the hole in her heart that was the absence of true friendship.
Poppy visited Lance everyday to see how he was and, even though it was against everything her father had told her, she began to see him as a friend and less of a squire. He could not, of course, perform any of his duties until he was fully healed, but he held the title of a squire and a few knights who were without a squire visited him to see if they would want Lance as a squire.
“How many have visited you now?” Poppy asked, a few weeks after finding Lance in the woods.
“Three have. I think one of them is seriously considering taking me on as a squire.”
“Which one?” Poppy felt instant gratitude towards the knight who would take on Lance.
“His name was James Kingsley. Do you know him?” Lance was worried and wanted to know what his perspective master was like.
“A little. He’s new to the castle. He seems very determined to be a good knight.” She smiled kindly and lightly touched Lance’s hand. “He seems like a wonderful person for you to report to.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Poppy. Are you excited about your upcoming gala?”
“Why must you bring that up? I’m dreading it. The Queen told me yesterday that perspective suitors are coming to the ball and that I should pick one. I’m only thirteen, Lance!”
“Soon to be fourteen. You shouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure there will be dozens of suitors lined up for you.” He smiled softly and sighed.
“I wish she would be more concerned about getting my brother a wife then getting me a husband. He’s eighteen, Lance, and he doesn’t have a wife yet. I’m worried about him.” Poppy brushed her hair from her eyes in frustration. “I mean, he’s very good looking and the women in this country think him the most eligible bachelor and they should. I mean, he’s a Prince. But, I have the feeling that John doesn’t want a wife right now and I wonder about that.”
“Why don’t you talk to him about it?” Lance sat up easily and turned to look at Poppy. “I know that you are here against the King’s wishes. He doesn’t want you to talk to me, Poppy. Why are you going against his word?”
Poppy sighed helplessly. “Because you are the only person I can possibly be friends with. I don’t know why, but I feel like we should be friends, despite who you are and everything else.” Poppy covered her face with her pale hands in shame. “I know we shouldn’t be friends.”
“Please don’t come here to see me anymore, Poppy. I don’t want the king mad at you or me.” Poppy looked up at Lance as he said this and stared at him in agony. “My sister can be your friend, wouldn’t you agree?” He smiled sadly.
Poppy sniffed indignantly. “Yes, I suppose so, Lancelot. I must be going now.” She stood up and so did Lance.
“Good day, Your Majesty.” He bowed to her and she curtsied slightly.
And with that, Poppy and Lance ceased their daily visits. They both regretted it instantly, but for the sake of decorum, they kept their distance.
“How many have visited you now?” Poppy asked, a few weeks after finding Lance in the woods.
“Three have. I think one of them is seriously considering taking me on as a squire.”
“Which one?” Poppy felt instant gratitude towards the knight who would take on Lance.
“His name was James Kingsley. Do you know him?” Lance was worried and wanted to know what his perspective master was like.
“A little. He’s new to the castle. He seems very determined to be a good knight.” She smiled kindly and lightly touched Lance’s hand. “He seems like a wonderful person for you to report to.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Poppy. Are you excited about your upcoming gala?”
“Why must you bring that up? I’m dreading it. The Queen told me yesterday that perspective suitors are coming to the ball and that I should pick one. I’m only thirteen, Lance!”
“Soon to be fourteen. You shouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure there will be dozens of suitors lined up for you.” He smiled softly and sighed.
“I wish she would be more concerned about getting my brother a wife then getting me a husband. He’s eighteen, Lance, and he doesn’t have a wife yet. I’m worried about him.” Poppy brushed her hair from her eyes in frustration. “I mean, he’s very good looking and the women in this country think him the most eligible bachelor and they should. I mean, he’s a Prince. But, I have the feeling that John doesn’t want a wife right now and I wonder about that.”
“Why don’t you talk to him about it?” Lance sat up easily and turned to look at Poppy. “I know that you are here against the King’s wishes. He doesn’t want you to talk to me, Poppy. Why are you going against his word?”
Poppy sighed helplessly. “Because you are the only person I can possibly be friends with. I don’t know why, but I feel like we should be friends, despite who you are and everything else.” Poppy covered her face with her pale hands in shame. “I know we shouldn’t be friends.”
“Please don’t come here to see me anymore, Poppy. I don’t want the king mad at you or me.” Poppy looked up at Lance as he said this and stared at him in agony. “My sister can be your friend, wouldn’t you agree?” He smiled sadly.
Poppy sniffed indignantly. “Yes, I suppose so, Lancelot. I must be going now.” She stood up and so did Lance.
“Good day, Your Majesty.” He bowed to her and she curtsied slightly.
And with that, Poppy and Lance ceased their daily visits. They both regretted it instantly, but for the sake of decorum, they kept their distance.
*************************************************************************************
“Hello dearest brother.” Poppy greeted John as soon as walked into the dim stables.
“Hello, Poppy. Dean, can you get Marmey ready for me?” John asked the stable boy.
“Of course Prince John, right away” Dean walked over to the farthest stall to get John’s horse ready.
“A ride before preparing for the ball, sister?” John walked over to his sister and discerned her expression, looking for a clue as to what she wanted to talk to him about.
“Yes, in fact. There is a matter I would like to discuss with you though.”
“Hmm? What could that be? Shall we talk about it before riding? Or will the topic bring a foul mood upon me. I wish to ride in a good mood, you know.”
“Well, I hope you won’t get upset, John. I just want to talk to you about marriage perspectives. Particularly yours, actually.”
He knew it. John had dreaded talking about the subject with his sister. The truth was, he wanted to marry for love, not because of a certain alliance that would be gained by the marriage. “I want to marry for love, Poppy. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
At that moment, Dean appeared with a grey dappled mare. “Here you go Your Majesty.” He bowed and went back to his duties.
“Thank you, Dean.” John walked his horse out of the stables and mounted her swiftly.
“Wouldn’t understand? I’m not a child, John. I think I can fully comprehend the matter of love.” Poppy stormed out of the stables followed by her chestnut horse who nudged her thoughtfully. She mounted her horse as well, and trotted up to her brother.
“Mother and Father don’t understand, Poppy. I didn’t expect you to, either. I’m sorry.” John looked around the lush green grounds. The shrubbery was being trimmed into flowers for Poppy’s ball. The fountains were on and the water shimmered in the sunlight. The gardens and pathways were strung with lanterns of every color and the flowers were in full bloom.
“I wish they did understand, John. Shall we have a race through the woods, then, to get your mind of everything?” Poppy looked at her brother eagerly.
John looked towards the green and leafy forest, squinting in the morning light. Birds twittered high on the branches, fairies flew above the trees, and squirrels skirted about tree trunks. The effect was magical and John couldn’t pass an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of riding.
“Of course, but I will win, as always.” He smirked at his sisters feigned expression of anger.
“We’ll see about that.” She pulled the reins on Jane to make her walk in the direction of the forest. Marmey and Jane cantered to the edge of the woods and waited for their riders to signal when they were ready to begin the race.
“Hiya,” John and Poppy both uttered slapping the reins on their horses, causing them to break out in a gallop.
They maneuvered through the forest, dodging trees and jumping over logs. Soon they were both laughing gaily, not an immediate care in the world. Competition forgotten, they both slowed to a trot after a while and resumed their conversation.
“I’m sure you will fall in love soon, John. Who knows? You might meet someone tonight.” Poppy began. “I hope so.”
“I know the King and Queen are most likely disappointed in me for not choosing a wife yet, but I simply can’t be forced into a marriage without consenting to it first, they should understand that or at least try to.”
“I think you should try to talk to them frankly about it, brother. Make them understand.” Poppy looked at her brother and smiled kindly. She could not get over how much he’d changed in looks and attitude in the two years. He used to be scrawny, lanky, and rather dull in the perspective of the girls in the kingdom, but he was still relatively handsome in the face. But now he was strong, built, and interesting to them.
“You’ve changed so much, John,” she said, looking into his blue eyes. “I know that you will make a great King someday. And who ever marries you will be a lucky girl.”
“Thank you Poppy.” John smiled thoughtfully. “So how is Lancelot doing? I heard he is to become a squire?”
“He’s fine. I’ve stopped seeing him, it would be improper for me to.” Poppy’s face was suddenly void of expression and she looked straight on. Sensing that the conversation would turn towards the subject of her feelings toward Lance, Poppy slapped the reins of her horse and turned her back in the direction of the castle.
“Are we done already?” John asked, concern sweeping over his face.
“I need to get ready, but please don’t go back on my account.” Poppy took a tone of formality and Jane broke into a gallop on Poppy’s command.
“Poppy! I didn’t mean anything by mentioning Lance! Please come back!” John shouted after her pleadingly, but she was already well on her way back towards the castle and could not hear him.
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